Visual Merchandising Graduate Programme 2023 Manchester, England
Job description
Looking to start a career in Visual Merchandising? We're looking for graduates to support the VM Team in consistently delivering the highest Visual and Commercial standards across the UK and Europe Stores!
You will have the opportunity to be involved in the day to day running and the implementation of business and local initiatives.
KEY DETAILS & PERKS OF THE PROGRAMME:
- Job Title – Visual Merchandising Graduate
- Scheme – 2 Year Graduate Programme - commences September 2023
- Location – JD Sports HQ (Bury BL9 8RR)
- Hours – Monday – Friday 40 hours
Our graduate programme is a chance to build an Early Career you will always be proud of. On the programme you will receive:
- Exciting monthly socials to form a community with other graduates
- Area specific training arranged by Line Manager
- Enrolment onto our JD Aspire programme for upskilling and development
- A mentor to support you throughout the programme
- Access to European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
- Ongoing support and feedback sessions
- Invaluable exposure usually gained through years of experience
- Opportunities to volunteer with our JD foundation and charity partners
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
As a Visual Merchandising Graduate, you will rotate in the key areas/specialties of the VM team to gain a holistic understanding. These include Visual Merchandising in Retail, the Visual Merchandising Department across UK & Europe, Retail Projects, and Retail Customer Operations:
Visual Merchandising in Retail
- Learn how to visually merchandise planograms supplied by the VM team across Footwear/apparel/accessories
- Learn JD visual merchandising standards by working through level 1 and 2 training materials.
- Merchandise new product as it arrives instore across all departments.
- Learn how to make commercial decisions reviewing business intelligence and analysing store performance.
- How to execute visual displays such as window and mannequin dressing.
Visual Merchandising Department – UK & Europe
- Develop skills to analyse store performance to help guide stores on direction changes through commercial evidence.
- Work collaboratively with multiple functions within the business such as Marketing, Merchandising and Buying departments.
- Support in delivering and executing exemplary window and instore marketing campaigns across both Main and 3rd Party Brands.
- Develop skills to communicate strategic directions and guidance through weekly communication VM directives.
Retail Projects
- To collectively influence the whole design of a store from the sales floor area and placement of furniture to planning an operationally efficient off sales space.
- Work cross functionally with Retail Designers, Space Planning and Property Projects teams to develop all aspects of store layouts,
- Communicating closely with the Central VM Team to meet all visual aspects within a new store.
- Interaction with key brands such as Nike & Adidas to develop and influence instore locations to increase brand awareness and to maximise sales.
- Occasional travel to UK and European stores to attend site meetings and New Store Retail hand overs.
- Involvement in the design processes for new concepts and equipment to help improve the existing JD image and communicate this vision while aligning this to the current business model.
- Creating Store fixture documents and working closely with suppliers and the JD Procurement Team to co-ordinate furniture and equipment orders.
Retail Customer Operations
- Support with the development, testing and rollout of exciting, large scale group projects affecting retail across UK & EU. Examples have included Ship from Store, Click and Collect, Self Service tills and a new loyalty programme
- Get involved in store operations and develop ways to make processes easier for our teams
- Help with our Innovation and Lab Store Programmes – showcasing Best of the Best stores where cutting edge technology and process changes are trialled
- Develop skills in data analytics, understanding trends in our data and how to use it to make improvements for retail.
- Be involved in testing tech upgrades scheduled for to stores to make sure they are fit for purpose
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
- Passionate about JD, its brands and customer.
- Some knowledge and understanding of Visual Merchandising.
- Highly organised and strong attention to detail.
- A good communicator able to build relationships with stakeholders and to work across teams.
- Able to take ownership of your work and use your initiative to deliver…
- Good teamwork skills, being able to work collaboratively to reach a common goal, sharing information and supporting colleagues.
- Positive and flexible, responsive to business needs.
- Curious with a continuous learning mindset
ABOUT JD SPORTS:
JD is at the pinnacle of the global sports fashion industry, providing customers with a product range that remains both authentic and uniquely appealing across a highly differentiated omni-channel experience.
NEXT STEPS:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 15-minute phone call interview. If successful, you will be invited to participate in an assessment day in July.
